The city of Miami is a top travel destination in Florida. With the second largest population in the state and pristine beaches, Miami is known for its party life. There’s a strong Cuban influence that can be felt in Miami, with many Cubans integrating their culture into this city. Miami is known for having beautiful beaches as well. You can go snorkeling or diving in Miami and experience the wonders of the underwater world for yourself. The weather in Miami tends to be on the warmer side throughout the year. Whether it’s summer or winter, you’ll find tourists flocking to Miami to indulge in the culture, the adventurous activities, and the busy party scene.
A Brief History Of Miami
Miami has a rich and colorful history. It was once the home of the Tequesta Indians. It’s believed that they arrived in the area in around 10,000 BC. There is very little evidence of their existence today, which is why there is so little information about them. Miami got its name from a native American tribe, known as ‘Mayaimi’. They used to live around the Lake Okeechobee.
When Florida was just developing, Miami had a different name. It used to be known as ‘Biscayne Bay Country’. Miami was also a popular destination for pirates to visit. Pirates like Blackbeard frequently came to Miami in the 18th and 18th centuries. It’s believed that they may have buried a treasure in Miami. Due to the large number of shipwrecks in the area, Miami is considered the capital of the country for wreck divers.
An interesting fact about Miami is that it’s the only city in the US that was founded by a woman. In 1896, Julia Tuttle, a local businesswoman, had a proposition. She turned to Henry Flagler and asked him to include Miami in the new railroad he was building in Florida. Once this railroad was complete, Flagler helped turn Miami into a popular tourist destination.
He is also known for building the Royal Palm Hotel here, which made the rich and famous travel to Miami.
Since the 1920s, storms have been hitting Miami, following which the locals have to rebuild what was left behind. The Art Deco movement that rose to popularity in the city came as a result of the redevelopment of Miami following a hurricane.
During World War II, thousands of servicemen and women were trained in Miami. This city became a prime location to thwart the advance of the German U-boats. As the Second World War ended, it wasn’t just the service men and women who returned home. They came alongside massive numbers of Cubans. This happened when Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba. It was later during the 1980s that shows like Miami Vice made Miami seem like a fashionable tourist destination. Today, Miami is a global city.
Five Fun Facts About Miami
- The city of Miami got its name from a native tribe that used to live in this region around the 1600s and the 1700s. This tribe was known as Mayaimi, and the city came to be known as Miami.
- There are two national parks near Miami: the Everglades National Park and the Biscayne National Park. There are over eight hundred parks within the city of Miami.
- In 1954, Miami became the first city where Burger King set itself up. Burger King would establish its roots in Miami and introduce their famous Whopper Burger here before anywhere else.
- There are around fifty underwater wreck sites near Miami, making it a popular spot for divers. Miami is also known as the World’s Wreckreational Diving Capital, due to the large number of diving spots that it has.
- Miami used to be visited by pirates like Blackbeard, who left their treasure behind in the nearby ocean. Tourists love looking for treasure both on the beach as well as in the water.
Top Travel Destinations In Miami
If you’re looking for a Miami guide that can help you with your next Miami travel destination, then look no further. Before you go to Miami, you’ll need to make a Miami itinerary. A trip planner Miami can help you understand what you’ll be doing through your vacation, allowing you to make the most of each day. But what are the top destinations in Miami that you should add to your Miami itinerary? Here are five places in Miami that you should visit on your next trip. Learn where you should go in Miami through this Miami travel guide.
1. Everglades National Park
Located just a short drive away from Miami, the Everglades National Park is one of two prominent national parks near Miami. This national park covers around 1.5 million hectares of land. It’s also a swampland. Tourists visit this national park to see alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and a wide variety of birds. You can hike along the walking trails in this park, or you can choose to go on an airboat tour of the whole park. If you opt for the airboat tour, then you’ll be picked up from your hotel. The airboat will take you on a day-long journey exploring the Everglades National Park. The national park is open throughout the day, and all you need to do to gain entry is purchase your entry ticket.
If you’re coming in a car, your ticket will be around $25. For motorcycle users, the ticket is $20. If you’re walking or you have a cycle with you, then your entry fee will be around $8.
It can take you the better part of the day to truly explore this national park. The best time to visit it is during the summer months.
2. Miami Beach
The Miami Beach can be found on a barrier island. It’s usually a secluded area connected to the mainland through multiple bridges. If you visit Miami Beach, you can find yourself walking along long stretches of a sparsely crowded beach. There are several shops and restaurants along the beachfront. These are perfect for spending time in, next to the beach. Many tourists also find themselves splurging on the beachfront shops and restaurants that line Miami Beach. When you go to visit Miami Beach, don’t forget to check out Ocean Drive. This is a popular street that’s particularly well known for having art deco buildings.
Miami Beach can be visited throughout the year, both in summer and in winter. If you have a free afternoon while in Miami and you’re wondering what you can do to pass the time, visit Miami Beach.
3. Bayside Marketplace
One destination that you should absolutely visit when you’re in Miami is the Bayside Marketplace. This is a large outdoor mall that has over a hundred and fifty kinds of stores. You can find all kinds of stores for tourists, including restaurants. It’s not just tourists that visit the Bayside Marketplace either. This location is frequently crowded by both locals as well as curious tourists. Situated on the waterfront, enjoy stunning views of the sea while doing your shopping in Miami.
The Bayside Marketplace is a large shopping destination that can take you nearly the whole day to explore. You could also stop by and check out a few stores that pique your interest. Consider making a budget before you visit this attraction, as you could easily end up spending more money than you had intended to.
4. Zoo Miami
The Miami Zoo is an excellent addition to your trip planner Miami. Suitable for adults and children alike, this destination is home to over three thousand animals. At least forty kinds of animals in this zoo are considered endangered. The Zoo Miami provides animals with natural habitats that allow them to lead better lives. The zoo also has around a thousand different kinds of plants and trees. It can take you a full day to see everything at Zoo Miami. A popular destination known for being loved by children and adults alike, if you are looking for new things to add to your trip planner Miami, then pick this zoo.
The Zoo Miami is open between 10 AM and 5 PM. If you’re an adult, then your entry fee will be $15.95. If you’re between three and twelve, then your entry fee is reduced to $11.95.
5. Wynwood
If you love graffiti work, then you need to visit the warehouse district of Wynwood. Here, people have created large graffiti drawings that breathe new life into the location. Over 80,000 square feet of space have been dedicated to wall art. Spend the day looking at artwork or taking in the artistic side of Miami by visiting Wynwood.
This location can be visited throughout the day, and you don’t need to pay an entrance fee to see the artwork.
What About Destinations Around Miami?
Close to Miami, you’ll find several cities. These include Captiva, Melbourne, Sebring, Port Charlotte, Arcadia, and more. Just one and a half hours away from Miami, you’ll also find the island of Islamorada.
What Are The Best Beaches Near Miami?
There are several great beaches in and near Miami that you can visit on your next trip there. Visit Sunny Isles Beach, situated between Miami and Fort Lauderdale Beach. South Beach is also a lively destination that you should consider paying a visit to. Here, you can participate in watersports as well. The Crandon Park Beach is also a must-visit destination if you’re in Miami. Visit the North Beach Oceanside Park and Haulover Beach Park as well.
What Are Some Good Spots For Scuba Diving Near Miami?
Miami is also an excellent place to go scuba diving. The Biscayne National Park can be visited by diving into the waters around Miami. At this national park, there is a 25-mile-long coral reef. You can also try diving at the Dry Tortugas Underway, which is located southwest of the reef system of the Florida Keys. The Sheri Lynn is also a popular dive spot in Miami that allows you to explore an old Dutch freighter.
The Neptune Memorial Reef and the Blue Grotto are other well-known diving sites in Miami.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Miami?
If you’re looking for less crowds and a pleasant climate, then go to Miami between November and March. This is the off-season for visiting Miami.
Miami is a city known for its perfect beaches, tropical climate, and mild temperatures throughout the year. The time of year, when Miami is particularly busy, is the spring and summer season. Loads of students come to Miami during their spring break to make the most of their time off. This is usually around April-May. By the time spring break ends, summer vacation begins for schools across the country. The moths between May and August are when families flock to Miami.
Between November and March, the temperature is cool, but it hardly ever dips below 20 degrees C.
December is the driest time of the year for Miami, allowing you to travel to all the tourist attractions easily. It’s between late spring and summer that rains really pour down over Miami.
What Should You Do Before Traveling To Miami?
To visit Miami, you need to have a valid visa to travel to the US. If you’re already a US citizen, all you have to do is pack your bags and head to Miami. While making your trip planner Miami, note down what your plan for each day is. Miami is a large and vibrant city, and seven days may not be enough to see all the sights it has to offer. Create a list of the places in Miami you would like to visit. If you would like to participate in adventure sports, then note that down as well. Being well-prepared will allow you to enjoy Miami within the limited time that you have.
The best time to visit Miami is usually in the summer, although many US citizens like visiting Miami in winter. This is because Miami remains warmer than many other US cities. Bring casual clothes with you when you pack for Miami, and don’t forget to throw in a few bathing suits as well.
What To Expect From The Culture Of Miami?
Miami is sometimes known as the capital of Latin America owing to the large population of Spanish speakers living here. Over the years, Miami has been a popular destination for immigrants. This has gone on to shape the culture of the city, turning it into a multicultural hotspot. After the Cuban immigration during Castro’s time, in the 1970s, a large number of people from Haiti and Nicaragua shifted here.
Miami is full of not just Hispanic heritage but also Jewish and Caribbean heritages as well. There’s always some festival, museum display, or other cultural festivity being celebrated in Miami.
In Miami, you’ll find mainstream artists being celebrated side by side with emerging artists. Every December, the International Art Basel Miami Beach Fair is held. This draws thousands of artists as well as collectors to Miami. The Miami Art Week is when this fair is held. This art week includes various art shows and fairs that celebrate the artists of the city. You’ll also find several galleries in this area. The Miami Design District, the Little Haiti, and the South Beach are some of the unmissable attractions of Miami.
If you head down to the Wynwood Art District, you’ll find work from emerging artists. Don’t forget to check our the Wynwood Walls, which is like an outdoor street art museum. Downtown Miami has the Perez Art Museum Miami, which contains great examples of contemporary art. The architecture here, from Herzog and de Meuron, is an architectural attraction as well.
For performing arts, head over to the Greater Miami and Miami Beach areas. In Downtown Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts hosts Broadway shows as well as other performing art programs. There are also science and history museums in Greater Miami that are worth visiting. In Downtown Miami, you’ll find the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. Here you can enjoy yourself at a planetarium, as well as an aquarium with 500,000 species. If you cross the Biscayne Boulevard, you’ll come across the Freedom Tower. Here, you can learn about the Cuban history of Miami. Little Havana and Little Haiti aren’t all that far away from this place either and are well worth checking out.
Is tipping expected in Miami? If you’re in Miami, you should expect to tip around 10-15% at restaurants. It’s customary to give waiters and waitresses a higher tip than what you would tip a bartender, as waiters share their tip with the kitchen staff.
Best Way To Get Around In Miami
The best way to get around in Miami is in a rented car if you don’t have a car of your own. The top attractions in the city are spread around, and if you don’t want to spend all your money on taxi rides, consider getting a car for the duration of your visit. You can find car rental companies at the Miami International Airport. You can take the routes I-395, S.R. 386, and I-95 to go to Miami. Remember to keep quarters on hand for parking fees.
If you want to make use of the public transport system, then there are Metrobuses and Metrorails for you to take. It isn’t easy to reach the major attractions in Miami either by walking or biking, as they are too spread out. You could, however, rent a bike to ride it on the boardwalk along the beach for a day. If you aren’t using your bike, always keep it locked.
Famous Local Dishes To Try In Miami
A cosmopolitan city, it’s not surprising that the food here is cosmopolitan as well. Miami is known for being home to a large number of Cuban-styled food. Of these, Cuban Arepas and Cuban Sandwiches are particularly popular. Fish sandwiches are another food staple that you can enjoy in this city.
Stone crab is another specialty of Miami, which goes especially well with Miami’s special mustard sauce. Fried chicken is also popular in Miami. If you’re more interested in something ethnic, then you can try out the Fritta Burger. Dominican Pork Crackling, also known as Chicharron de Cerdo, is another specialty you can’t miss when in Miami.
Churrasco meat, which is chagrined over an open fire and then served with chimichurri sauce, is also a Miami staple.
How Much Should You Expect To Spend In Miami?
If you’re visiting Miami, you should aim to spend around $206 per day. If you’re a single person visiting Miami, you can expect to spend around $1500 in seven days. For larger families, you will need to spend around $1000 per family member to enjoy a comfortable time in Miami. Miami is generally a safe place for solo and group travelers alike.
Conclusion
If you’re planning your next Miami travel, then Travel-Wise can help you. Include in your Miami guide to travel the destinations mentioned in this guide. Learn about the best nightlife destinations or the best bachelorette party destinations through Travel-Wise.
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